UCLA Fitness and Memory Study of Activity In Mild Cognitive Impairment (AIM)

Completed

Brief Summary: This project will examine the relationship between physical activity levels, brain structure and memory function in adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) aged 60 to 75. The study will follow 30 adults with age-associated memory impairment or MCI over the course of 18 months. During this time, subjects' physical activity levels will be measured regularly and related to both the thickness their hippocampus and to their memory performance. Subjects will be recruited and screened for major health problems at UCLA. Physical activity will be tracked for two weeks using accelerometers at baseline and every 6 months during the study. At baseline and at the end of the study, subjects will undergo a structural MRI brain scan to measure hippocampal thickness, as well as a neuropsychological evaluation to measure memory function. The study will seek to determine the relationship between physical activity level, hippocampal thickness and memory performance in older adults with age-associated memory impairment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Agreement to participate in the study
60-89 years of age
Diagnostic criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment diagnosis: subjective memory complaints, Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of <26, intact instrumental activities of daily living (Smith et al., 1996) OR subjective age-associated memory complaints
Cohabitation with an adult capable of ensuring correct usage of the physical activity monitors during the study and verifying self-reports of activity levels.
Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing.
Screening laboratory tests and EKG without significant abnormalities that might interfere with the study. If screening laboratory tests or EKG show abnormalities, PI may request clearance from primary care physician before subject continues in study.

Exclusion Criteria

Comorbid conditions impacting mobility
Current, untreated depression: BDI-II score >13
Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) or any other dementia (e.g., vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal).
Evidence of other neurological or physical illness that can produce cognitive deterioration. Volunteers with a history of head trauma, stroke, TIA, carotid bruits, or lacunes on MRI scans will be excluded.
Contraindication to the MRI including claustrophobia, metal in body, surgery within 60 days, certain medical implants or previous abnormal MRI results.
History of cardiovascular disease
Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP > 170 or diastolic BP > 100)
Current diagnosis of any major psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV TR criteria (APA, 2000), including current alcoholism or substance addiction.
Current use of marijuana
Previous use of marijuana for at least 15 days in a month, initiating use during adolescence and continuing for at least one year

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Activity level correlation with hippocampal thickness	18 months	Correlation of activity levels, as measured using ankle accelerometers, with hippocampal thickness, as measured using brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Activity level correlation with memory performance	18 months	Correlation of activity levels, as measured using ankle accelerometers, with memory performance, as measured by neuropsychological evaluations

Locations (1): UCLA Longevity Center
🇺🇸
Los Angeles, California, United States

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